Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking ceremonies of the Kingdome, Nov. 2, 1972.

Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking ceremonies of the Kingdome, Nov. 2, 1972.

Photo: P-I File

Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking... Photo-682087.6869 - seattlepi.com

Image 6 of 47

Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking ceremonies of the Kingdome, Nov. 2, 1972.

Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking ceremonies of the Kingdome, Nov. 2, 1972.

Photo: P-I File

Protestors are held back from attempts to disrupt groundbreaking... Photo-682728.6869 - seattlepi.com

Image 7 of 47

The November 1972 photo caption read: County Councilman John O'Brien watched as County Executive John Spellman stamped a symbolic gold home place into place a yesterday's domed stadium groundbreaking ceremony.

The November 1972 photo caption read: County Councilman John O'Brien watched as County Executive John Spellman stamped a symbolic gold home place into place a yesterday's domed stadium groundbreaking ceremony.

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area was the former site of the Kingdome. The January 1971 photo caption read: Dotted lines show stadium site selected by state commission yesterday.

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area was the former site of the Kingdome. The January 1971 photo caption read: Dotted lines show stadium site selected by state commission yesterday.

Photo: P-I File

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area... Photo-805176.6869 - seattlepi.com

Image 9 of 47

The building permit for the Kingdome, October, 1972.

The building permit for the Kingdome, October, 1972.

Photo: P-I File

The building permit for the Kingdome, October, 1972. Photo-682736.6869 - seattlepi.com

Image 10 of 47

Groundbreaking for the Kingdome finally started in 1972, more than four years after voters approved a bond issue.

Groundbreaking for the Kingdome finally started in 1972, more than four years after voters approved a bond issue.

Photo: P-I File

Groundbreaking for the Kingdome finally started in 1972, more than... Photo-805194.6869 - seattlepi.com

Image 11 of 47

Chinatown/International District demolition to make way for the Kingdome, October 1972.

Chinatown/International District demolition to make way for the Kingdome, October 1972.

Photo: P-I File

Chinatown/International District demolition to make way for the... Photo-805179.6869 - seattlepi.com

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The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972.

The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972.

Photo: P-I File

The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972. Photo-805182.6869 - seattlepi.com

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The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972.

The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972.

Photo: P-I File

The future home of the Kingdome, October 1972. Photo-805187.6869 - seattlepi.com

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The September 1972 photo caption read: Sending up a cloud of dust, a bulldozer yesterday was used to begin demolishing brick buildings at the foot of Second Avenue South as work got under way to prepare the King Street site for construction of the King County domed stadium. less

The September 1972 photo caption read: Sending up a cloud of dust, a bulldozer yesterday was used to begin demolishing brick buildings at the foot of Second Avenue South as work got under way to prepare the ... more

Photo: P-I File

The September 1972 photo caption read: Sending up a cloud of dust,... Photo-805197.6869 - seattlepi.com

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The November 1972 photo caption read: Workmen poured concrete Friday that will form the pilings on which the foundation of the new King County domed stadium will rest.

The November 1972 photo caption read: Workmen poured concrete Friday that will form the pilings on which the foundation of the new King County domed stadium will rest.

The May 1974 photo caption read: A workman at the King County Domed Stadium seemed to be looking for that elusive reserved seat among the thousands to be provided for sports fans when the stadium is completed.

The May 1974 photo caption read: A workman at the King County Domed Stadium seemed to be looking for that elusive reserved seat among the thousands to be provided for sports fans when the stadium is completed.

Photo: P-I File

The May 1974 photo caption read: A workman at the King County Domed... Photo-805201.6869 - seattlepi.com

The November 1974 photo caption read: A significant stage of construction has been reached at the King county domed stadium, where workmen have been finishing four of the eventual 40 sections of the concrete roof. less

The November 1974 photo caption read: A significant stage of construction has been reached at the King county domed stadium, where workmen have been finishing four of the eventual 40 sections of the concrete ... more